Zula Part 15

"You must; you will be obliged to meet her sooner or later, so come now."

Paul arose, and wiping the tears away, followed Scott to the parlor, where he was presented to the bride. She received him with an air of hauteur, though not unkindly. Paul knew that she meant to make him feel his inferior position, but was by no means embarra.s.sed.

He bowed with such an easy grace that Irene wondered where the boy who acted in a menial capacity had received his instructions, he was so self-possessed in the presence of strangers. Though she felt the least bit annoyed that he did not feel intimidated in her presence, she could but admire his cla.s.sical features and lovely eyes.

She remarked to Scott some time later that there was something about the boy that she could not "quite understand." Often she would look up to find his searching gaze fastened upon her, as though he would read her very thoughts, and, boy though he was, he was capable of making her very uncomfortable.

"I cannot think," Irene said one day to Scott, "what the boy can be thinking of sometimes, when he looks at me with those great dreamy eyes; and once, when I asked him what he was thinking of, he answered coolly, that he did not care to tell. Just to think of his answering me that way! I had a half mind to box his ears."

"I hardly think that would be advisable," Scott answered, closing his lips in a manner that told plainly that he meant what he said.

Irene soon began to learn Scott's nature, and she saw that whatever opposition she made to his will must be done in secret; and though he was ever kind and gentle, she knew that he would adhere strictly to the right, whoever the opposing party might be. There had been a slight misunderstanding between Irene and Paul in the library--at least, that was what she called it. She entered one day and found Paul poring over a book of poems.

"Why, Paul," she said, "you seem to spend a great deal of time here; you have permission, I suppose?"

The boy's crimson lip curled scornfully.

"Certainly, I have; if I had not I should not be here."

"Does your master pay you for studying?"

"My work is always done before I come here; for that I am paid, and my employer, not my master, has very kindly allowed me the privilege of using the library. As for a master, I am neither a dog nor a slave."

"You are very insolent, at least."

[Ill.u.s.tration: "Does your master pay you for studying?"]

The boy's face grew crimson as he said:

"If I am not wanted here I can stay away."

"It would be much pleasanter for me if you would do so. I, myself, am a great reader of poetry, and this seems to be the most appropriate place to read, and I prefer to be alone."

"I am very sorry that I have been in your way, and I will try in future not to trouble you," Paul said, as, with a low bow, he left the room.

Irene fairly trembled with rage as she saw Paul bowing with as much politeness and composure as though he really were her equal.

"To think," she said, "that he dare to look me straight in the eye as though he were reading my very thoughts; just as though he were as good as I am! I will make him learn his place, if Scott cannot; or rather, will not."

In the hall Paul met June, who came bounding along, dressed in the most becoming blue muslin, trimmed with lace, and her golden hair tied with a blue ribbon and falling to her waist in a most bewitching fas.h.i.+on.

"Come, Paul! Scott says you can drive me out in the phaeton, if you will," she said, approaching him.

Irene entered the doorway just in time to see Paul playfully pinch June's pink cheek and to hear him say:

"How sweet you look, June!"

"Why, June," said Irene, "do you ride with your brother's hired help?"

"I ride with Paul."

"Does mama allow it?"

"Why, yes; Scott says I can do so."

"And I suppose Scott's will is law," she said, trying to look pleasant and to smile.

"Oh, yes," June said, returning the smile, which she did not understand as well as did Paul. "Yes, I always ask Scott."

Irene said no more, and she allowed June to give her a good-bye kiss, just as Scott always did if June were going out only for an hour; but she lost no time in seeking an interview with her mother-in-law, whose nature was the most congenial of anyone around her. They were seated in Mrs. Wilmer's room. Rene, as Mrs. Wilmer always called Scott's wife, entered with a smile on her face, and of course just happened to speak of Paul and June riding together, not forgetting to mention the little piece of really playful familiarity, but which was highly colored.

"Of course, mama, I would not care, but I do so love darling little June that I really cannot bear to see her do anything improper, and I am sorry to say that she and Scott are both too regardless of caste.

Don't you think so, mama?"

"You are perfectly right, my dear Rene, and I am glad that your ideas coincide with my own. I have two of the dearest children in all the world, but to tell the truth, they are both like their father in regard to pride. The Wilmers never had enough for the high position they occupied in society."

"Perhaps, between us both we may ingraft a little more pride in their natures, for I see they are sadly lacking."

"It is possible that with your help I may accomplish what I have failed to do alone, but I sometimes get really discouraged, for it seems so natural for them to have too little pride. Why, it is just as natural for June to stop and smile on some poor little beggar as if they were dressed in satin, and she has mortified me more than once by bowing to some shabbily-dressed school girl."

"Of course it will not do. People in our position cannot bend to such servility. One thing I have noticed which I think should be checked, though I hope you will not openly rebuke June, for in that case she might think me a mischief maker, which I would not be for the world; but I have so often noticed Paul's familiarity, and it has fairly made my blood boil. June says they are like brother and sister, but you know it is very convenient for young people to feel a sort of relations.h.i.+p for each other, and if you will watch closely you will see for yourself that she has a dangerous love for him."

"It may be true, but I have never thought of June being so silly as to care for the society of Paul, especially as I have so often cautioned her not to bring herself down to his level, and really had felt quite easy on the matter, seeing him appear so distant and seeming to know his place so well; and really, they are nothing but children."

"Well, of course you must keep this a secret, but June did speak quite impudently to me the other day when I reproved her. She said she would be apt to keep Paul's company as long as he remained here. You should have seen how angrily the boy looked at me, and how proud and defiant his look when June defended him. I could have annihilated him, and if June is so determined to keep his company I think the wisest plan is to send him away."

"Scott would never consent to that. He says he is a perfect jewel and he would not part with him under any consideration, and now, dear Rene, I warn you to deal very cautiously with Scott, for he never commits one act without first studying every particular, and weighing well the result, and I believe if ever I were to wrong Paul, or anyone else, and he knew me to be in the wrong, he would never forgive me until he had seen justice done."

When Irene spoke so insultingly to Paul it sank like an arrow into his heart.

"I would not care so much if she were not Mr. Wilmer's wife; but, oh, I do hope she will not make him dislike me; I would rather die," he said to June.

"Oh, do not say that! I am sure you could live even if Scott were to forsake you."

"Could I? I do not believe it."

"Well, I do not believe she could make Scott dislike you, and if she does, why, I will be your sister always--as long as you live."

Paul looked a thousand thanks as he turned to June, saying:

"I shall always remember that, my little sister, and if your brother should turn against me, I shall at least have one friend."

"You may be sure of that; so please do not look sorry any more. I am sure mama will treat you well, too."

"Yes, she will, if----"

He was about to say if she is not influenced, but not wis.h.i.+ng to hold up before June her mother's weak traits, he said: